Cowes — Luxury Yacht Charter & Superyacht News Written by zuzana Yesterday, July 19, 2015 saw a spectacular start to the much anticipated Panerai British Classic Week 2015 off Cowes, hosting a strong fleet of 77 yachts. The regatta kicked off with a course race in the Solent , marked by glorious sunshine and a warm southwesterly breeze of 15-25 knots. Sailing yacht Mariquita at the 2015 Panerai British Classic Week – Photo by Guido Cantini/Panerai/Sea&See.com First away were the giants of Class 0, who sailed beautifully down the Solent with truly awe-inspiring power. From the outset John Caulcutt, Jamie Matheson and Stephen Hemsley’s 1911 William Fife II Cutter ‘Mariquita’ and Armin Fisher and Robert Towbin’s 1914 William Fife III Ketch ‘Sumurun’ were well matched, and after almost three hours of competing they concluded the race just eighteen seconds apart on corrected time with ‘Mariquita’ taking victory.

Zak Zbynek’s Nathanial G Herreshof -designed charter yacht ‘Eleonora’ took third place. Eleonora Yacht – Photo by Guido Cantini/Panerai/Sea&See.com Yesterday evening the crews were enjoying a Welcome Reception at the Royal Yacht Squadron . Today’s forecast is for southwesterly winds of up to 30 knots so the planned Around The Island Race sponsored by EFG International has been postponed until Thursday. Instead the fleet will sail the Long Inshore Race sponsored by Classic Boat supported by Wight Vodka, starting at 10.00 from the Royal Yacht Squadron line. Racing continues until Friday 24 July and the regatta will come to an end on Saturday 25 July with a Parade of Sail past the Royal Yacht Squadron and Cowes Green at 11.00. Written by zuzana More than 70 yachts have already registered for the upcoming Panerai British Classic Week 2015, set to be hosted by Cowes Yacht Haven from July 18 to 25. The popular regatta annually attracts classic yachts of all shapes and sizes.

The largest yacht to compete this year will be the awe-inspiring 49,5-metre charter yacht Eleonora . Available for rent in such popular Mediterranean yacht holiday destinations as French Riviera and Croatia , luxury sailing yacht Eleonora is a beautiful schooner, built by Van de Graaf to a design by Nathaniel G Herreshoff in 2000. Classic charter yacht ELEONORA – the largest yacht to attend the 2015 Panerai British Classic Week Sailing yacht ELEONORA Written by zuzana Entry for the Panerai British Classic Week 2015 is now open. The event will take place from 18th – 25th July at Cowes Yacht Haven , a lovely England yacht charter destination. Now in its 14th year, the regatta continues to grow in popularity, and this year the number of international visitors is expected to be particularly high, with yachts from all over the world, making their way to the Solent for this very popular regatta.

Panerai British Classic Week 2014 – Photo by Guido Cantini/seasee.com Looking forward to the 2015 edition, Regatta Chairman Sean McMillan commented, “This year we have the great good fortune to be holding our regatta the week immediately preceding the Royal Yacht Squadron ’s 200th anniversary regatta. We anticipate a strong attendance at Panerai British Classic Week with many famous yachts already expressing their interest in participating prior to joining the RYS event.” The regatta is open to classic and vintage yachts and forms part of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Series , the leading international circuit for these vintage craft, sponsored for the eleventh consecutive year by the Italian watchmaker Officine Panerai. With yachts from the drawing boards of designers such as Fife , Mylne , Nicholson , Giles , Illingworth, McGruer and Sparkman & Stephens , plus many whose background stories are truly extraordinary, the fleet is always both beautiful and fascinating. Among the international entrants will be the Paine/Burgess designed Jour de Fête, sailing under the burgee of the New York Yacht Club.

Built in 1930 by Lawley in Boston, Jour de Fête is a “Q Boat” designed to Herreschoff’s Universal Rule. She will be skippered by her owner, America’s Cup legend Bruno Troublé, who tells us, “I look forward to coming back to Cowes as I have many friends there. This will be our first time racing the boat under IRC, but we will use only Dacron sails and the whole crew will be pure amateurs.” Bruno will bring to bear his extensive knowledge of the Solent gained racing in multiple Cowes Weeks and the Admiral’s Cup and through his close involvement in the organisation of the Royal Yacht Squadron’s America’s Cup Jubilee Regatta in 2001. He does, however, promise not to replicate one of his more infamous Solent exploits when he “Sank a boat, a Two Tonner, Xeryus in the late 1980s on the Varvassi wreck near the Needles while racing around the Island.” Racing is once again being organised by Royal Yacht Squadron Racing and will feature a seven race series plus the special Around the Island Race sponsored by EFG International on Monday 20th July.

The ever-popular Ladies Race will be held on Wednesday 22nd July and the regatta will conclude with the Parade of Sail past the Royal Yacht Squadron and Cowes Green on Saturday 25th July. Ashore the Panerai Lounge will be the focal point for pre and post sailing gatherings. The evening social programme is always packed with fun events and this year is no exception. From the Welcome Reception at the Royal Yacht Squadron to the Prize Giving Dinner at Cowes Yacht Haven Events Centre, via the traditional “Open Yachts” Pontoon Party, there will be plenty to keep the competitors and their guests entertained. As always the yachts will be moored at Cowes Yacht Haven where members of the public are welcome to tour the dock and view the stunningly restored and maintained historic yachts and speak to their owners and crews. Written by zuzana Last October saw RORC Racing Manager Nick Elliott predict ‘a scramble for places’, when it was announced that priority would be given to RORC members wishing to secure a place in the legendary race celebrating its 90th anniversary. He wasn’t wrong.

Just 24 minutes after the online entry system opened at midday on 12th January, more than 300 yachts had signed up for the Rolex Fastnet Race 2015. The frenetic trend continued and by the end of the afternoon, 375 yachts had registered for the biennial 608-nautical mile race, which has been an established fixture on the ocean racing circuit since 1925. French father and son team of Pascal and Alexis Loison, became the first ever doublehanded crew to win the Fastnet Challenge Cup and the Rolex Fastnet Race overall in 2013. They will be back to defend their title this year. Night and Day, JPK 10.10 © Rolex/Kurt Arrigo “Within 24 hours of online entries opening in the race two years ago it was oversubscribed, and with a waiting list. We thought that was remarkable, but yesterday we reached the same number in 24 minutes! The Rolex Fastnet Race has great reverence with sailors worldwide wishing to compete in this iconic race and add it to their bucket list,” says Elliott.

Still time to register an entry – priority to RORC members All is not lost for those who still wish to enter. Following the popularity of the 2013 race, when the entry limit was increased to 340 boats, the RORC Committee decided that RORC members would get priority for the first week of registration. Boats have to meet the strict entry qualification and training criteria of the race and after Sunday 18th January, all registered boats will be sorted and places offered on a first come, first served basis, with RORC members receiving priority over non-members. Boats registering after this date will be allocated places in the order in which they apply, regardless of membership. The advice from the RORC Race Team is to register as soon as possible and a useful guide for entrants, explaining the main points needed to consider before entering – crew qualification, boat suitability and the process of entry itself – is available on the RORC Rolex Fastnet Race website.

Timeless classics such as Stormy Weather, the S&S 1934 yawl, will compete in the 2015 Rolex Fastnet Race © Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex 80 years on, 1935 Fastnet winner returns Among the first boats to register their entry for the 2015 Rolex Fastnet Race was one of the best-known and loved classic yachts sailing today, Stormy Weather, the 1934 Sparkman & Stephens 52ft yawl who was named after the song. She has an illustrious racing pedigree, winning the King’s Cup in the Newport-Bergen Transatlantic Race a year after she was launched, before arriving to see Uffa Fox in Cowes in 1935 and going on to win the Fastnet Race the same year. The race had just 17 starters and Stormy was the only American entry in a fleet dominated by 13 British entries.

**Although some of the British press displayed a severe case of “sour grapes” when they bemoaned the quality, and perhaps quantity, of Stormy’s sails, Yachting World gallantly noted that, “By winning the Fastnet Cup in such a convincing manner, [Stormy Weather] has demonstrated her right to be the champion deep-sea yacht of the world.” And went on to add, “At the same time she is undoubtedly of a type which is well suited to the requirements of ordinary cruising.” So far, six S & S-designed classic yachts have signed up for the race, including Matt Brooks’ 52ft yawl, Dorade which claimed victory for the second time in 2013 Transpac, 77 years after she won it in 1936. The 46th edition of one of sailing’s greatest contests – the Rolex Fastnet Race – reconvenes on Sunday 16th August, starting from Cowes, Isle of Wight to Plymouth via the Fastnet Rock.

Written by zuzana Camper & Nicholsons Marinas have proudly announced that they have been selected to lead the development of the new Victoria Marina, to be positioned at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, UK . Construction of the new 400-berth luxury yacht marina is expected to start next autumn. Victoria Marina at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, UK Site owner the Homes and Communities Agency selected Camper & Nicholsons Marinas to work as part of a consortium to lead the development of a vibrant new 400-berth luxury yacht marina. The proposed scheme includes a boutique hotel and a wide range of residential, commercial and leisure amenities for the 2.6 hectare site. Subject to contracts, Camper & Nicholsons will work with Westcourt Real Estate, who are involved in developing the London City Cruise terminal in Greenwich, to redevelop the marina and bring forward detailed proposals for other key buildings on the site. The selection sees Camper & Nicholsons return to UK shores after an absence of more than 10 years.

It represents a coup for East Cowes and is expected to generate more than 250 jobs as a result of the redevelopment and creation of new employment opportunities. Victoria Marina - Plan Paul Flatt HCA Senior Development Manager said: “The proposals for a new marina are bold and ambitious and we need a development partner who shares this vision and has a track record of success. “Camper & Nicholsons’ name has a strong historic connection to the Solent area. This is an exciting opportunity to apply their extensive international experience in marina development and operation in the UK, on one of the remaining key elements in the regeneration of East Cowes.” Camper and Nicholsons are recognised as one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious yachting names, with specialisms in waterfront and marina development stretching back for more than 40 years. Camper & Nicholsons’ Business Development Director Dan Hughes said: “Our selection as part of the preferred bidder consortium signals a return to the UK for the Camper & Nicholsons’ heritage yachting brand.

Working in partnership with Westcourt Real Estate, we are very keen to develop and operate such a facility, in the heart of UK yachting.” Isle of Wight Council leader, Councillor Ian Stephens, said: “This announcement is excellent news for a project which is bringing major economic, employment and other benefits to East Cowes and the island as whole. This project will continue with the aims and the objectives of the Isle of Wight Council in bringing economic growth and employment to the island and also reflecting our traditional yachting and leisure industry. “We welcome the appointment of such a renowned company with strong historic links with the Solent.” East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, UK Sir Christopher Lewinton, Chairman of Camper & Nicholsons Marina Investments Limited, added, “Camper & Nicholsons are very pleased to have been selected by the Homes & Communities Agency to lead the development of a world class 400 berth marina in East Cowes. “We also look forward to working with Westcourt Real Estate who will lead the related landside development programme.

The Board of CNMIL believe that this marina presents a significant growth opportunity for us along with creating employment and contributing to the regeneration of East Cowes.” The development of a 400 berth marina was granted detailed planning permission in 2013. Further detailed plans for development on key parts of the site are due to be announced early next year and are expected to include: Improvements to the Columbine building to create a mix of marine, commercial and leisure space Conversion of the nearby Victoria Barracks building as an inn and hotel More than 100 new and affordable homes. The site sits beside the recently announced redevelopment of the Red Funnel terminal at East Cowes. Recent phases of regeneration in East Cowes have included a new Waitrose store, medical centre and the completion of 180 new and affordable homes on the successful Victoria Walk development. Written by zuzana Cowes Week Limited (CWL), organizer of the world-famous Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week , is seeking a talented and experienced executive director to join the small full-time team responsible for the event.

AAM Cowes Week This new and exciting opportunity arises from the departure of CWL’s Sales & Marketing Director, Michelle Warner, who will leave for new pastures in early 2015 after 10 years with CWL. The new director will be responsible for sponsorship income and supporting the strategic development of the regatta and its delivery. Operating as part of the event’s Executive Management Team, the successful candidate will also sit as a Director on the board of Cowes Week Limited, leading and advising the board on all commercial matters. Those interesting in applying for the role should send a covering letter outlining suitability, together with an up-to-date copy of their CV, for the attention of the Chairman, Peter Dickson c/o admin@aamcowesweek.co.uk. The closing date for applications is Friday 9 January at midday. Interviews will be held the following week and it is hoped that the successful candidate will be available to start at the beginning of March.

Written by zuzana The Royal Ocean Racing Club ( RORC ) and the Royal Malta Yacht Club have lifted the 100-foot (30,47m) LOA monohull limit for the 2015 editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race as well as the Rolex Middle Sea Race , set by a number of the classic 600 mile races, such as the Fastnet, Sydney Hobart and Middle Sea races. This will allow superyachts attending the Atlantic Ocean Racing Series to compete. Start of the 2013 Rolex Fastnet Race from Cowes, Isle of Wight - Credit: Rolex Kurt/Arrigo The AORS consists of four events: the RORC Caribbean 600 , the 2015 Transatlantic Race from Newport to the Lizard, the Rolex Fastnet Race and Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Superyachts have always been eligible to race in the RORC Caribbean 600 and a number have entered for the west to east Transatlantic Race at the end of June/July 2015, organised by the Royal Yacht Squadron and New York Yacht Club in association with the Royal Ocean Racing Club and Storm Trysail Club. In previous editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race only monohulls of 100ft or less were eligible to win the coveted Fastnet Challenge Cup. In 2013 there were two monohulls at this upper limit of 100ft: Mike Slade’s Farr 100 charter yacht ICAP Leopard (GBR), and Igor Simcic’s RP100 superyacht Esimit Europa 2 (SLO).

With a number of superyachts competing in the 2015 Transatlantic Race, such as Elena Ambrosiadou’s, 289ft Dykstra / Perini Navi charter yacht Maltese Falcon , and superyacht Mariette , the 1915 Herreshoff classic, the increased LOA limit for the 46th biennial Rolex Fastnet Race will entice yachts over 100ft to enter and possibly win the Fastnet Challenge Cup, making for a spectacular race from Cowes, Isle of Wight in August 2015. Rolex Fastnet priority for RORC members “Another initiative in place for the Rolex Fastnet Race is to give RORC members priority when entering in January 2015,” explains Nick Elliott, RORC Racing Manager. “The race was oversubscribed in 2013 within 24 hours of entry opening with many boats, including those of RORC members, having to go on a waiting list.

To cope with demand, the Club increased the limit to 340, but with the 2015 Transatlantic Race from Newport to the Lizard having close to 60 boats and the Rolex Middle Sea Race breaking the 100 boat barrier, we can only envisage another scramble for places when entry opens at midday on the 12th January 2015,” continues Elliott. Written by zuzana This year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week came to an end on Saturday, August 9. The overall prize-giving on Saturday evening hosted some 300 people, and regatta organizers, Cowes Week Limited , reflected on a Week of mixed weather conditions. Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2014 - Day Two - Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Champagne sailing conditions started the Week with sunshine and great breeze but this was followed by much lighter conditions resulting in disappointing abandonments for some on Thursday and for all classes on Friday.

For those that raced on the final Saturday though, there was a welcome return of good breeze and sun providing some fantastic conditions for the last day of racing, with the added spectacle of Black Group starting on the Royal Yacht Squadron line for the first time in as long as anyone can remember. Consistent performances throughout the Week rewarded the East Coast Squib, Lady Penelope, raced by Malcolm Hutchings and Andy Ramsey, with victory for the second year running, cleaning up in the Squib Class, White Group, and taking away the coveted overall winner’s trophy at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week once again. Commenting on his win, Malcolm Hutchings said: “It’s wonderful to be taking this magnificent overall winners trophy back to the east coast once again, where some extremely big celebrations are on the cards. It is always a fantastic week – we go to Cowes for the great competition, fun and the fantastic social scene and last week we revelled in it all!” Lady Penelope (c) Rick Tomlinson The Squib class was sporting a very healthy fleet at this year’s regatta with entries having grown by over 20%.

The class had boats representing 10 Clubs from around the country (and France) with 70% of these raced by families and 25% with an under 25 year-old onboard at some point during the week. Steve Warren-Smith, Captain of the Class, thinks the growth can be attributed to a variety of different factors. He explains: “We are the most affordable Class out there. This result by Malcolm and Andy helps demonstrate that it’s the ability that counts, not the wallet! Cowes Week is a wonderful and unique event, which allows the minnows to compete with the giants evenly, and to win fairly. We’re delighted that one of our own has won the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week overall title in two consecutive years”. In the Black Group, overall glory was also consistent with the final result in 2013 with Island-based Adam Gosling in IRC 2 winning with his Corby 36, Yes! After finding out he was overall winner of IRC 2 and of Black Group, Adam said: “We’ve had great rivalry this week against very good sailors. This is the second time in a row that we’ve won Black Group, which is rather unexpected.

We set out to win our class, but we knew it would be hard because we were the smallest boat in the class. The key to our win was good starts, which meant we could stay ahead of the larger boats for longer, before eventually getting buried by them, and control the races that way.” In celebration of the 50th anniversary of co-ordinated race management by Cowes Combined Clubs, the CCC Anniversary Trophy was introduced at this year’s regatta. The trophy was won by Itchenor Sailing Club with its representative team of the XOD, Lass, the Solent Sunbeam, Danny, and the Swallow, Gwaihir who fought off stiff competition from 14 other entries across 8 different clubs. The Trophy, a painting by local artist and yachtsman, Mike Till, will take pride of place at Itchenor Sailing Club until it is contested again at next year’s regatta. Commemorative 50th anniversary glasses and silverware are also available for purchase from the Regatta Centre. Simply contact the office on: 01983 295744 for further details.

The Aberdeen Asset Management Under 25 Trophy was even more competitive this year with crews from across 20 different boats racing for the award with their entry fee covered by title sponsor, Aberdeen Asset Management. The crew of Jugador in the J/70 class fought off competition from Shoreham Youth Team in the Sonar class to take the Trophy home, with Jugador skipper, Jack Davies, also taking the Young Skipper’s Trophy. Full results information from across all classes, together with images, daily highlights footage and a replay of the live commentated footage from throughout the Week are all available on the event website. Highlights ashore also included a packed schedule of family activities in support of Family Day on Sunday 3 August, which included an appearance from Andy Day of CBeebies on Cowes Parade, an outdoor screening of The Goonies at Northwood House and circus and theatre workshops courtesy of Wight Stars at Cowes Yacht Haven. Women’s participation in sailing was celebrated on Ladies Day (Thursday 7 August), which saw the presentation of the Ladies Day Trophy to the inspirational Dee Caffari in recognition of her immense contribution to the sport of sailing.

The regatta’s new official charity, UKSA had a fantastic response from the public to their stand in Cowes Yacht Haven . Fundraising activities included ‘Try-Sailing’ taster sessions, gutterboat racing, sending people up a mast and branded bracelets. Funds were also raised through an innovative ‘pass the mark’ initiative whereby Aberdeen Asset Management donated £1 for every time Aberdeen Alpha was passed. In addition, sales of the official charity t-shirt, designed by leading fashion designer Amanda Wakeley (funded by Aberdeen Asset Management and other key event partners) raised monies for the charity too. Full details on the amount raised for the Island-based charity will be released in due course. A very special evening of entertainments took place on Friday 8 August with a display from the awe-inspiring RAF Typhoon, the iconic Red Arrows , and the traditional fireworks display which, despite the downpour, the crowds still turned out in their droves to enjoy. The post-event survey is now online inviting competitors and visitors to the regatta to share their feedback to help organisers make further improvements to the regatta.

Entries are now online for the 2015 regatta and anyone entering between now and the end of the year will not only take advantage of a Super Early Bird entry fee, but will also be in with a chance of winning a fantastic range of prizes including a rebate on their entry fee, free berthing in Cowes and a host of other benefits and goodies provided by the regatta sponsors and the main event venues. Next year’s dates are 8-15 August. The countdown starts here! Written by zuzana Cowes Week Limited (CWL) presented Ladies Day for the first time in 2006, with one simple objective: to raise the profile of sailing as one of few mainstream sports where men and women compete on equal terms. Over the last decade, female participation across the sport has grown, and at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week a third of all competitors participating in the racing are female. Dee Caffari - Winner of the 2014 Ladies Day Trophy Ladies Day provides a fantastic platform for celebrating women in sailing, and by doing so, helps promote the fact that Cowes Week is fully inclusive.

The main focus of the Ladies Day celebrations each year is a special evening reception at which the ‘Ladies Day Trophy’ is awarded. This trophy recognises the outstanding contribution, commitment, or achievement of women in sailing. The judging panel for this year’s Trophy was formed of double Olympic gold medallist, Shirley Robertson, Aberdeen Asset Management’s Global Head of HR, Kerry Christie, Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation Trustee, Karen Wilson, Yachting World’s editor, Elaine Bunting, and CWL’s Michelle Warner. This year’s trophy was awarded at a reception this evening, hosted by Aberdeen Asset Management, to Dee Caffari. Dee has helped bring sailing to the attention of the broader public since she started in the sport and has raced at nearly every Cowes Week over the last 15 years across a wide range of different classes. Outside of Cowes Week she has been instrumental in the success of the women’s sailing programme in Oman, has sailed single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions and is the only woman to have sailed non-stop around the world three times. She’s about to set off on her 5th circumnavigation as part of Team SCA.

Dee is also an ambassador for Toe in the Water and is a phenomenal ambassador for sailing, whatever the gender. Dee was this evening awarded the Ladies Day Trophy In recognition of her immense contribution to the sport of sailing. Commenting on the win, Dee said: “It is very exciting to receive this award following in a long line of women who have got their name on this trophy. It is awesome to finally be holding the award. I have been nominated in the past but thought I’d never win it. To have my achievements listed and recognised, especially with the esteemed company in the room tonight, is very special.” Written by zuzana This year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week , the world’s best-known sailing regatta, is set to kick off tomorrow, on August 2. The 2014 regatta is expected to provide an action-packed excitement afloat, with a shore-side program to match.

AAM Cowes Week 2013 - Photo by Richard Langdon/Getty Images This year, Cowes Combined Clubs celebrates 50 years of co-ordinated race management at the 188 year-old regatta, and at least 13 competitors racing this year also took part in the 1964 regatta (the first year of the formation of CCC). Eric Williams of Williams Shipping is one, and these days is frequently to be found towards the top of the leader-board with his Dragon, Ecstatic. Commenting on what keeps him coming back to Cowes Week, Eric said: “I love it. It’s a great sailing obstacle course! It’s not just about the racing; you’re crossing tides, avoiding ships, missing rocks and keeping clear of everyone else. There’s so much to think about and you’ve never won until you’ve crossed the finish line. It certainly gets the adrenalin flowing!” In celebration of the anniversary, the daily prizes and overall trophies will carry a commemorative logo and there are a number of commemorative items available for purchase too. In addition, the CCC Anniversary Trophy has been introduced.

This is a painting by local yachtsman and artist, Mike Till, and will be awarded as a perpetual interclub team trophy with the painting held on the premises of the winning club. Organisers are delighted to also welcome a number of new faces to this year’s regatta, with at least 45 newcomers entering for the first time in 2014. David and Gill Roberts are one such crew, taking part for the first time on the final Saturday with their cruiser, Bugsy 2. This will be their first proper race in their first yacht! Racing on the final Saturday is now used as an introduction to the regatta for those who want to find out what it’s all about while having the chance to win some silverware and enjoying a gentler pace with a later start, for a bargain price of just £30.

Commenting on their motivation for signing up to this year’s regatta, David Roberts said: “Having bought our first boat and just about got used to her, we thought it would be great fun to enter her into the final Saturday race, which seemed designed to encourage the likes of ourselves to take part.” Anyone thinking about taking part in this year’s regatta can still do so; entries are accepted for the following days racing before 5pm each day. Visit the Regatta Centre behind the bandstand on Cowes Parade or call 01983 295744 to sign-up. In keeping with Aberdeen Asset Management’s and Cowes Week Limited’s shared objectives of supporting the next generation of sailors, they were delighted to announce the appointment of UKSA as the official charity of the regatta earlier in the year. UKSA provides transformational opportunities for young people through sailing and watersports, and will be fundraising in order to offer every year six primary school child on the Island (a total of 1,600 children) the opportunity to experience water-based sports.

UKSA have a range of activities planned in support of this target, including a limited edition Ladies Day charity T-shirt and will be resident at Cowes Yacht Haven throughout the Week. Aberdeen Asset Management has also extended its popular Under 25 initiative to twenty crews who have had their entry fees covered by the title sponsor this year and will also receive team sailing kit and be in contention for the prestigious Aberdeen Asset Management Under 25 Trophy. On a practical note, visitors and competitors to the regatta will notice that work is currently underway in the harbour for the long-awaited new outer breakwater which will give the marinas and moorings protection from north-easterly winds and minimise damage to boats caused by strong winds in this direction. All boats need to observe the exclusion zone in place throughout the regatta to safeguard against any damage from submerged chain, anchors and floating pipelines. Ashore, there is a packed schedule of events with entertainments laid-on from early afternoon each day across the town and the addition of a big wheel at Northwood House this year offering panoramic views across Cowes and the Solent.

Special highlights for 2014 include a display from The Blades Aerobatic Display team (Saturday 2 August at 7pm), Family Day (Sunday 3 August), Ladies Day (Thursday 7 August), and the RAF Typhoon Display Team (7.10pm), the iconic Red Arrows (7.30pm) and the spectacular fireworks display (9.30pm) all taking place on the penultimate day of the regatta (Friday 8 August). See the official event website for full details of the shore-side schedule. There are competitions running throughout the Week too, with lots of brilliant prizes to be won. Details of these can be found online and include the #GoGreenBlue competition in support of Green Blue Day (Saturday 2 August), the Aberdeen Asset Management photography competition and a last chance to win a year’s supply of wine courtesy of new wine and champagne sponsor, Laithwaite’s. On a more sombre note, Tuesday 5 August will commemorate the centenary of the first shot at sea in the First World War with a sail past by the Royal Navy and a one minute silence in memory of all those who have served in defence of the nation.

A single cannon shot will be fired from the Royal Yacht Squadron at 10am to mark the start of the silence and will fire again at the end of the minute. In addition, this year’s race for The Britannia Cup, will be held in commemoration of the centenary of the Great War at Sea. Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2014 will provide something for everyone and organisers look forward to welcoming all to Cowes for one of the greatest events on the sailing calendar. For those unable to attend, Cowes Live! will broadcast the racing action on the event website from 9.30am until early afternoon each day thanks to funding from Aberdeen Asset Management and the support of the event’s technology partner, NGR, and Cowes Radio. The Isle of Wight gets ready for the summer season of yachting regattas | Armchair Auditor The Isle of Wight gets ready for the summer season of yachting regattas The season kicks off this coming weekend with the Easter Challenge and is followed throughout the year by countless yachting regattas. All hosted from Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Be the first to add your thoughts in the comments section ↓ Suzanne and Alan share details of the upcoming season of yachting regattas. Ed The Royal Ocean Racing Club’s UK domestic season starts with the Easter Challenge, taking place on the Solent over the Bank Holiday weekend of 25-27th March. The Easter Challenge For many crews, the Easter Challenge marks a key date in their diary, by which time their boat must be re-commissioned and back in the water ready for the new sailing season. To help crews get up to speed again as quickly as possible, particularly those looking to enter this year’s Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup, the RORC has set up the Easter Challenge as a start of season training regatta. Debut for Fast 40+ class This year the Fast 40+ class makes its debut en masse at the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Easter Challenge. Between eight and ten Fast 40+s will be competing and with the fleet expected to grow to 14 this summer, pundits are observing that this class represents the most competitive home-grown handicap inshore keelboat racing the UK has seen since the heyday of the Admiral’s Cup.

RORC Season’s Points Championship April sees the start of the domestic RORC Season’s Points Championship with the opening offshore race, the Cervantes Trophy from Cowes to Le Havre on the 30th April. The Cervantes is followed, in this area, by the De Guingand Bowl which is a coastal race around marks in the Channel on 14th May. The Cervantes Trophy and De Guingand Bowl races will form part of the British team selection trials for the Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup in July. May will see the Myth of Malham race on the 28th; a race from Cowes, around the Eddystone Lighthouse off Plymouth and back to Cowes. This replicates the first part of a typical Rolex Fastnet Race and is very popular. June has the RORC Morgan Cup Race to Dieppe. Round the Island Race The Island Sailing Club, the organisers of the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, is delighted to welcome back last year’s Gold Roman Bowl winner, Giovanni Belgrano and Whooper.

Giovanni comments that he is bringing the same group of friends who are eager for another lap of the Isle of Wight, back for the RTI race on Saturday, 2nd July. Also back on the start line is Alex Thomson skippering the 2015 IMOCA 60 Hugo Boss and to date there are 600+ other entries. As last year, the RTI Race forms part of the Isle of Wight’s Festival of the Sea. Cowes Classics Week Charles Stanley Cowes Classics Week takes place 11-15 July with support from Haines Boatyard hosting a competitors’ reception and Race Day prizes and local art gallery -Kendalls Fine Art – where another competitors’ Reception is held. Organised by the Royal London YC this regatta for Classic Boats is very popular and once again has chosen to support the IW Youth Trust as its charity. Panerai Regatta The 2016 Panerai Regatta takes place from 16th – 23rd July. Organisers are anticipating a high entry again with yachts from around the globe looking to race in the Solent.

The racing is once again being organised by Royal Yacht Squadron with a six race series plus a stand-alone Around the Island Race sponsored by EFG International on Monday 18th July, following the original clockwise course of the first America’s Cup. The Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup Brewin Dolphin is continuing its sponsorship of the RORC biennial flagship event for national three boat teams with amateur crews- The Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup. For 2016 The Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup will take place out of Cowes between the 3rd and 30th July. Something of a surprise was the first team officially to enter the 2016 event being not one of the regulars – France, Ireland or the UK – but Israel. Alongside judo, sailing is Israel’s top Olympic sport. Spearheading the Israeli campaign is British sailor Richard Loftus, well known for campaigning his Swan 65, Desperado. Cowes Week Cowes Week, this year without a title sponsor, is at the beginning of August (6th-13th).

Cowes Week Limited, organisers of Cowes Week, one of the world’s best-known sailing regattas and a highlight of the British sporting summer, are delighted to announce that they will continue their youth initiative which offers discounted entry fees to boats with crews of under 25 year olds. Ile d’Ouessant Race Following Cowes Week is the new Ile d’Ouessant Race from Cowes to St Malo via the Wolf Rock and around Ushant on the north-west corner of France. This 400nm race has already attracted much interest and looks likely to become a regular fixture in the RORC Calendar in a non-Fastnet year. Cowes to Santander The Royal Yacht Squadron, in association with The Real Club Marítimo de Santander and the Royal Ocean Racing Club, is to host a race from Cowes to Santander, Spain starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron’s line on 15th August 2016. This race will take the fleet some 520 nautical miles direct from Cowes to Santander in northern Spain.

Cherbourg Race The beginning of September sees the culmination of a very busy season for the RORC with the final offshore – the Cherbourg Race – on 2nd September; an overnight sprint from Cowes to Cherbourg. Etchells World Championship The Etchells World Championship is to be held in Cowes in September 2016 and over 60 boats from 11 countries are expected. Many former Etchells World Champions will compete including John Bertrand winner of the America’s Cup for Australia in 1983. Eddie Warden Owen, Ossie Stewart and Adrian Friend have bought an Etchell to campaign for the 2016 World Championships which will take place from the 1st- 11th September. As many people know, a fire on the Isle of Wight on 25 January had a major impact on the Cowes Etchells Fleet.

Fleet spokesman and 2016 Etchells World Championship regatta chairman, David Franks said, “Approximately 14 Etchells appear to have been destroyed in the fire but the Cowes Etchells Fleet will rise again in time for our first Regatta in April.” Image: © pwpictures.com Club History - Royal Cork Yacht Club Club History Club History Post by Dermot Burns – Royal Cork Yacht Club Archivist. Email archives@royalcork.com A comprehensive history of the club entitled, “A History of the Royal Cork Yacht Club” was recently published. This work was awarded the Book of the Year award by the Irish Printing Industry at their annual awards ceremony. Sometime in the early 1600s, the idea of sailing for private pleasure started to take root in the Netherlands. Later that century, during the Cromwellian years, King Charles II of England was in exile in the Netherlands and while there he became aware of this new and exciting pastime. In 1660 after his restoration to the English crown and return from exile, Charles was presented with a yacht called Mary by the Dutch, which he sailed enthusiastically on the Thames.

Soon several of his courtiers followed his example and we feel pretty certain that one of them was Murrough O’Brien, the 6th Lord Inchiquin (Murrough of the Burnings). We know that not only had he attended the court of King Charles from 1660 to 1662, but also that he had been created the 1st Earl of Inchiquin by Charles in 1664. We also know that private sailing started to become popular in Cork Harbour shortly after his return, quite possibly because of his direct encouragement. In any case, by 1720, interest in the sport had progressed so much that his great-grandson, the 26 year old William O’Brien, the 9th Lord Inchiquin, and five of his friends got together to formalise their activities and in so doing established ” The Water Club of the Harbour of Cork “. This club is known today as the Royal Cork Yacht Club and it is the oldest yacht club in the world. The Old Rules They based themselves in a castle on Hawlbowline Island, the lease of which Lord Inchiquin held.

From that castle they regulated their sailing, membership and dining affairs according to a set of rules known to us today as “The Old Rules”. In the early years the majority of club sailing activity took the form of sailing in various formations, copying the manoeuvres of the navies of the day. They communicated with each other by means of flying different flags and firing cannons. Each display and sequence of flags or guns meant something and every yacht owner carried a common signal book on board, which allowed them to communicate with each other. Paintings from 1738 in the possession of the club show club yachts carrying out such manoeuvres. Shortly before 1806 the club moved to the nearby town of Cove as the British Admiralty decided that they had a greater need for Hawlbowline Island than we had. The American Revolution and then later on the French Revolution, would have been significant factors in the Royal Navy’s decision to build up their presence in the safe & strategic harbour of Cork. Kinsale had been the main naval centre on this coast up until this time but that harbour had begun to silt badly causing problems for warships which in addition had become bigger with deeper draughts.

Cork Harbour Water Club By 1806 the Water Club of the Harbour of Cork had started to refer to itself as the Cork Harbour Water Club. During the 1820s, following the fashion of the few other clubs that had emerged by then, it changed its name to include the word “Yacht” and dropped the word “Water” and became known as the Cork Harbour Yacht Club. Later on that decade it dropped “Harbour” and became the Cork Yacht Club. In 1831 King William IV granted the club the privilege of using the prefix “Royal” and it became known as the Royal Cork Yacht Club. The Club had been using various premises in Cove as clubhouses but eventually, in 1854, it moved into a magnificent new building which it had built on land given to it by the then Admiral, J.H. Smith Barry. The building, which stands directly onto the waterfront, was to become not only a major yachting centre but also an essential meeting place for Cork society. By mid century membership was keenly sought after and club records show that many candidates were disappointed.

One who was fortunate to be admitted was Prince Ferdinand Maximilian of Austria, later to be Emperor of Mexico. Prince Ferdinand was a brother of Emperor Franz Joseph and was the founder of the Imperial Austrian Navy. A special meeting of the General Committee was convened on 30th November 1858 to consider if Prince Ferdinand should be allowed to go forward for ballot for membership. It was felt by many of the members that “the admission of Foreigners” into the club might cause the Lords of the Admiralty to withdraw some of our privileges. After the matter was discussed for some time he was allowed to go forward and was in due course elected & admitted. One of the very first sporting heroes, Sir Thomas Lipton, who challenged for the America’s Cup sailing his famous series of yachts called Shamrock was admitted to the club in 1900. Move to Crosshaven By the 1960s changing economic and social patterns made Cobh less and less attractive as a base for the club.

In 1966 the Royal Cork and the Royal Munster Yacht Clubs agreed to merge and the Royal Cork moved to its present premises in Crosshaven assuming the title “The Royal Cork Yacht Club, incorporating the Royal Munster Yacht Club”. In the 1970s & 80s the very pinnacle of sailing competition was the Admirals Cup which was an international competition based on teams of three boats. The Royal Cork was the pivotal point for the very competitive Irish teams of those years, the right designer, builders, sail maker, crews, and owners with vision all came together at the same time and gave nations with greater resources cause for reflective thought. Sailing Activities The Royal Cork Yacht Club today encompasses a wide variety of sailing activities from young kids in their Optimist dinghies sailing right through the winter months to the not-so-young kids racing National 18s and 1720s during the remaining nine months. There is also enthusiastic sailing in Toppers, Lasers, RS Fevas and other dinghies. The larger keelboats race on various courses set in and around the Cork Harbour area for club competitions.

They also take part in events such as the Round Ireland Race, Cowes Week and the Fastnet Race. In many far off waters, right across the globe, overseas club members proudly sail under the Royal Cork burgee. The club has a significant number of cruising members, many of whom are content to sail our magnificent south and west coasts. Others head north for the Scottish islands and Scandinavia. Some go south to France, Spain, Portugal and the Mediterranean. The more adventurous have crossed the Atlantic, explored little known places in the Pacific and Indian Oceans while others have circumnavigated the globe. Looking forward into the 21st century, the Royal Cork goes from strength to strength, total membership is around 1800, our facilities are unparalleled in Ireland and continue to expand, major World, European & Irish Championships are hosted in the club regularly. Cork Week, which is held every two years, is regarded as one of Europe’s best regattas and attracts contestants from all over the world. Recently the Royal Cork was proud to host the ISAF Women’s World Match Racing Championships. The activities of the club are regarded as a major tourism asset for the Cork area and significantly contribute to the economy of Crosshaven.

The Royal Cork may be almost 300 years old but it is still vibrant, progressive and innovative – just as it was in 1720. About Us The Royal Cork Yacht Club is based in Crosshaven, Cork, Ireland and is the world's oldest yacht club founded in 1720. It is the organiser of the biennial Cork Week, widely regarded as Europe’s premier sailing event. The club encompasses a wide variety of sailing activities from Optimist dinghies to racing National 18s and 1720s, Toppers, Lasers, RS Fevas and more ...read more Upcoming Events

Question: What is the name of the international biennial yachting event coinciding with 'Cowes Week'?
Answer: Admiral's Cup